Weekly Classes
We run weekly classes on Tuesday evenings at The Dance Complex in Cambridge.
Most commonly we are teaching our Fundamentals series, which starts with Intro to Balboa/Fundamentals 1a for beginners with no Balboa experience, followed by Fundamentals 1b which is suitable for anyone who’s taken Fundamentals 1a or its equivalent.
Sometimes we’ll have classes for intermediate-and-beyond students, or special events with guest instructors, so watch this page for updates and registration links!
The Dance Complex
Typically Studio #5 or #2
536 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
IMPORTANT: For everyone’s safety, we are requiring that everyone wear a suitable mask (N95/KN95/KF94) covering nose & mouth at all times. (We will have suitable masks available free at the door if you need one.)
March 2026: Intro to Balboa Fundamentals 1A Series (ELEF)
Tuesdays March 3, 10, 17, 24 at the Dance Complex, Studio 2.
For everyone who wants to learn – or revisit – their Balboa fundamentals, this is a four week series that will get you up to speed with basic vocabulary and connection techniques for Balboa, and get you out on the floor dancing Bal socially. Fundamental figures of both Pure Balboa (closed position) and Bal-Swing (open position) will be covered.
This class series will be taught “ELEF”: Everyone Leads, Everyone Follows. Starting your Balboa journey with ELEF helps you understand the mechanics more quickly and more deeply. Though many dancers do choose to specialize in one role, starting out with ELEF helps you better understand how both roles work and feel, so that beyond this series, you can choose the one that suits you, or choose to keep dancing in both! No partner is necessary, as we will rotate partners in class.
8:00-9:30pm Introduction to Balboa Fundamentals 1A (ELEF)
9:30-10:00pm Post-class practice time (included with class registration!)
Cost: pay what you can (suggested: $60, $30 if retaking the series)
Registration is OPEN for Balboa Fundamentals 1A! (walk-in registrations for the series welcome in the first week)
If you just can’t wait until March, check out our Fundamentals 1A Crash Course Weekend, January 3-4!
Fifth Tuesday March 31: All-Levels Class – Texture in Pure Balboa!
We’ve got a spare Tuesday in between Fundamentals 1A and 1B, so we’ll have a class for EVERYONE who’s completed Fundamentals 1A content or equivalent! Join us for a one-off session where we explore textures in Pure Balboa. The rhythms can be simple, but there’s a whole world of options for us in *how* we take those steps. Playing with these options offers us loads of musicality, but also helps us improve our connection and our responsiveness to each other in partnership. Registration is open for this drop-in ELEF class!
April 2026: Fundamentals 1B Series (ELEF)
Tuesdays April 7, 14, 21, 28 at the Dance Complex, Studio 2.
Build on your Balboa fundamentals! This four week series will add additional fundamental vocabulary while continuing to develop your connection and movement. We will cover paddle turns, side scoots, crabwalks, swivels, and variations for your lollies, out-and-ins and tossouts!
Prerequisites: Intro to Balboa Fundamentals 1A or the equivalent (familiarity with Pure Balboa connection & figures — simple rhythm changes, uphold & downhold basics — and simple out-and-ins, lollies, and tossouts, as both leader & follower)
This class series will be taught “ELEF”: Everyone Leads, Everyone Follows.
8:00-9:30pm Introduction to Balboa Fundamentals 1B (ELEF)
9:30-10:00pm Post-class practice time (included with class registration!)
Cost: pay what you can (suggested: $60, $30 if retaking the series)
Registration is OPEN for Balboa Fundamentals 1B! (walk-in registrations for the series welcome in the first week)
If April doesn’t work for you, also consider the Fundamentals 1B Crash Course, Saturday February 28!
Class Topics for Fundamentals
Intro to Balboa/Fundamentals 1a (suitable for beginners with no Balboa experience)
– posture and connection
– rhythm
– up-hold basic and down-hold basic
– ad-lib/progressive steps
– out-and-ins
– lollies
– tossout
Fundamentals 1b (suitable for anyone who’s taken Fundamentals 1a or its equivalent)
– out-and-ins and variations
– swivels and swivel breaks
– paddle turns
– side scoots
– crabwalks
Fundamentals 1a & 1b consolidates the core material from our original ABC series. While we will continue to refine technique in these new classes, we hope to shift work on higher level mechanics and movement technique into more interactive guided practices and intermediate content.
Private Lessons
July & Stan also offer private lessons for $100 per hour teaching together (total), $60 per hour teaching individually. Lessons can be held in our home dance studio space, or in other locations by arrangement, with any floor fee paid by the student. Email us at info@bostonbalboa.org to inquire about a private lesson.